Vessel support structure



p 1960 R. s. HAMPTON ETAL 2,952,380

VESSEL SUPPORT STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 26, 1957 INVENTORSRoben S. Hompran BY William Josephion 4 M914! Attorneys Sept. 13, 1960R. s. HAMPTON ETAL VESSEL SUPPORT, STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov.26, 1957 INVENTORS Robert S. Hampton William Josephian Attorneys Sept.13, 1960 R. S. HAMPTON ETAL VESSEL SUPPORT STRUCTURE :5 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed Nov. 26, 1957 INVENTORS Attorneys VESSEL sorronr sruucrunn RobertS. Hampton, Orinda,

Oakland, land,

Filed Nov. 26, 1957, Ser. No. 699,005

'3 Claims. (Cl. 220-15) This invention relates to vessel supportstructure, and more particularly, to means for supporting a horizontally.exteuding, generally cylindrical vessel at its opposed convex heads,the term convex as used herein referring to the shape as viewed fromoutside the vessel.

In storing and transporting liquids, such as liquified gases, under highpressure and low temperature conditions, it is common practice to employcylindrical vessels or tanks the ends of which are closed by domed orconvex heads. Tanks of this type are particularly strong for resistinghigh internal pressures and may be constructed so as to be supportedwith their axes extending either generally horizontally, or generallyvertically. This invention is concerned only with those vesselssupported generally horizontally.

Heretofore, it has been the practice to support such cylinders by meansof saddles, or like structures, engaging the cylinder at its peripheralside wall at two or more points intermediate the vessel heads. In thelarger sizes of vessels some reinforcing of the shell of the cylinderhas been found necessary in conjunction with these prior known forms oftank support. This results from the fact that in supporting a tank in ahorizontal position on its cylindrical shell the weight of the cylinderand contents tends to flatten the cylindrical shape to an extentdetracting from its strength as a beam, and also introducing stressconcentrations which may result in cracks or rupture at the points ofsupport.

It is therefore a main object of this invention to provide structure forsupporting a horizontal, closed cylindrical vessel, which structuredistributes the load evenly to the cylindrical shell of the vessel.

Another object of this invention is the provision of supportingstructure for a generally cylindrical vessel having convex heads, whichstructure supports the weight of said vessel on said heads.

It is still another object of this invention to provide supportingstructure for a horizontal, generally cylindrical vessel having opposedconvex heads, which structure carries the vertical and transverse loadsapplied to the vessel generally tangentially of the heads, and whichcarries the axial loads applied to the vessel generally tangentially ofthe cylindrical shell thereof.

It is also an object of this invention to provide necessary structuralsupport for the inner vessel in a vacuum jacketed vessel with a minimumpractical heat conduction through such supports, combined withsimplicity and economy in material and labor of fabrication.

A further object of this invention is the provision of means forsupporting a horizontal, generally cylindrical vessel within an outervacuum insulating jacket, with a minimum complication of said jacketwith extra welded seams subject to possible leakage and thus loss ofnecessary vacuum.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of means forsupporting a horizontal, generally cylindrical vessel within an outerinsulating jacket, and which ice means contributes to the strength ofthe vessel being supported.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the following drawings in which:

Figs. 1, 2 are side elevational views of the opposite ends of a jacketedvessel, with the outer jacket broken away to show the supportingstructure of this invention, as seen generally from lines l-1, and 2-2,respectively, of Figs. 3, 4.

Figs. 3, 4 are end elevational views of the opposite ends of thejacketed vessel of Figs. 1, 2, respectively, with the outer jacketbroken away to show details of the supporting structure of thisinvention;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of the support means for themovable end of the tank, as seen generally from line 55 of Fig. 4; and,

Fig. 6 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally alongline 6-6 of Fig. 2.

In detail, referring to Figs. 1, 2, the support structure of thisinvention is described for use with a jacketed vessel comprising a pairof horizontally extending tanks, one of which is enclosed within theother. The inner tank or vessel has a cylindrical shell 1, provided withopposed domed or convex heads 2, 3, and the outer tank or jacket islikewise provided with a cylindrical shell 4 and opposed convex heads 5,6. Vessel l is adapted to contain liquid under pressure and is mountedwithin jacket 4 so as to provide an annular insulating space 7 betweenthe shells of said tanks, and end spaces 8, 9, between heads 2, 5, and3, 6, respectively.

Annular space 7 and the communicating end spaces 8, 9 are adapted to beevacuated and filled with an insulating material whereby vessel 1becomes an eflicient container for storing and transporting liquifiedgases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and the like undersubstantially high pressures and low temperatures. For example, liquidoxygen may be maintained at temperatures as low as minus 207 degreesFahrenheit and at pressures of 300 pounds per square inch or higher, intank 1.

It will be understood that the supporting structure of this invention isnot restricted to the particular jacketed vessel shown, but may beapplied to any cylindrical tank having opposed convex heads. Theparticular use of the supporting structure here described, is forpurposes of illustration only.

In the larger sizes, vessel 1 may be fabricated from a plurality ofcurved plates welded together into the form of a cylindrical shell. Theheads 2, 3 either formed in one piece, or from a plurality of weldedsections, are continuously welded to opposite ends of the shell 1 so asto provide a completely enclosed cylinder. Even though such cylinder maybe fabricated from relatively thin plate and still withstand therequired pressures, the weight of the tank will be substantial,especially when including the weight of the liquid it contains. Not onlyare relatively strong support members necessary, but it is alsoessential that tank 1 be supported in a manner to prevent excessivedeformation of the cylinder from its circular cross-section.

Inner cylinder 1 is supported centrally of outer cylinder 4 by means ofa pair of supporting structures, generally designated 10, 11, at itsopposite heads 2, 3. These support structures are generally similar andthe like reference numerals will be applied to each, except wheredifferences exist.

Each of the structures 10, 11, comprises a pair of vertical andtransverse load support members 12,, 13, which diverge radially ofcylinder 1 from the central portions of its heads across space 7 intoengagement with the shell of cylinder 4 adjacent its heads. Members 12,13, are

rigidly secured, as by the welding, to the central projecting portion ofeach head 2, 3 of tank 1. Said central portion may be reinforced by aplate or ring 14 (Figs. 3, 4) Welded rigidly thereto. As-previouslydescribed, one of the ends of each of the members 12, 13, are weldedadjacent each other to the ring 14' and the head, and said membersextend radially from said ring,and substantially tangent to the head,into engagement with the inner side of the shell of jacket 4. Members12', 13 preferably diverge from the central portion of the heads 2, 3toward jacket shell 4 atan acute included angle so as to provideboth-the vertical support for theweight of vesselv 1 and transversestability for the side loads on said vessel.

Members 12 13 may be combined into a single loadsupporting member aslong as the points of engagement between said member and the supportingsurface of jacket 4 are spaced circumferentiallyas shown. Members 12, 13may be of any suitable construction, the T-bar shown being preferred.

The outer ends of members 12, 13 terminate in curved plates or shoes 15adjacent the supporting surface of jacket shell 4 near heads 5, 6.

The end of vessel lat head 2 is the fixed end, i.e., it is adapted toremain stationary with respect to the supportingjacket 4. On the otherhand, the end of vessel 1 at head 3 is permitted limited movementoccasioned by the elongation and contraction of vessel 1 under varyingtemperature conditions. It is obvious that in the service oftransporting or storing liquids at low temperatures, vessel 1 will besubjected to temperatures between atmospheric and the low temperature ofthe liquid, thereby causing it to elongate and contract axially inresponse to said temperature changes.

The shoes 15 at supporting structure 19 at the fixed end of tank 1therefore constitute reinforcing plates which are rigidly secured, as bywelding, to jacket shell 4. The shoes 15- in the supporting structure 11at the movable endof theinner vessel are adapted to slide on areinforcing plate 16 (Figs. 5, 6) on jacket shell 4.- in a manner to "bedescribed.

Extending from members 12, 13, at points adjacent shoes 15, are a pairof axial support elements 17, 18 (Figs. l-4). Elements 17, '18 extendinto engagement with the peripheral side wall or shell of vessel 1 atopposed points which are spaced axially from heads 2, 3

and are preferably circumferentially spaced at an obtuse angle. Elements17, 18 constitute thrust members for carrying the axial load applied totank 1 by earthquake, or acceleration during transport, or the like.Atone end each of elements 17, 18 is welded to its corresponding member12, 13, and at its opposite end each separate element is rigidly securedto a reinforcing plate 19, which is in turn welded to the vessel wall 1.Thrust elements 17, 18, thereby brace the outer ends of members 12, 13

with respect to vessel 1 and carry any axial loads applied r to saidvessel essentially tangentially of its shell to the outer jacket 4.

In order to further strengthen the heads 5, 6 and the shell 4 of theouter jacket at the points which carry the load of vessel 1, a pair ofgusset plates 20, 21 may be welded across the joint between said headsand said shell of said outer jacket. At the fixed end of tank 1,plates'lil, 21 may be welded to members 12, 13 and shoes 15 so as tofurther rigidly secure the supporting structure anddistribute the loadover a broader area of outer tank 4. These gussets 20 and 21 may belocated either externally of the jacket or internally as shown.

The gusset plates 20, 21 at the movable end of tank 1 embrace oppositesides of the members 12, 13 of support structure 11 (Figs. 2, 4, 5, 6).An elongated slot 22 ('FigsiS, 6) is formed in each gusset plate 20, 21adjacent outer tank shell 4 at the movable end of tank 1 forreceiving-the edges of shoes 15 therein. A pair of side plates 23, 24are welded to gusset plates 20, 21, respectively,and extend'over theouter sides of slots 22 and the outer edges of shoes 15 (Fig. 6). Aspreviously described, a wear plate 16 is welded to jacket shell 4 and tothe lower edges of side plates 23, 24.

The shoes 15 at the outer ends of members 12, 13 of support structure 11are adapted to slide on the wear plate 16 while confined Within theslots 22 and side plates 23, 2.4. In effect, the slots 22 in the gussetplates 20, 21 and the side plates 23, 24, constitute guide meansextending axially of the tanks for constraining the sliding movement ofshoes 15 to an axial or longitudinal direction.

Hence, under a change in temperature sufficient to cause elongation ofinner vessel 1, the head 3 of said vessel would be caused to move to thedot-dash line 25 of Fig. 5 thereby causing movement of the supportstructure 11 to the dot dash position 26 by sliding shoes 15 on wearplate 16. The ends of members 12, 13, of course, confined to movementbetween gusset plates 20, 21 and are prevented from movement away fromouter jacket 4 by means of shoes 15 engaging under the edges of slots 22in said gusset plates. The members 12,-;13g.remain in a vertical planeduring said sliding as aresult of the bracing of thrust elements 17, 18.

It will be understood that the support structures of thisinvention carrynot only the vertical weightload of the inner tank 1, but also thetransverse loads and axial loads to which such tank is subjected duringmovement. The weight load and transverse loads are carried by members12, 13'nearly tangentially of the heads 2, 3 at :the central portionsthereof so that no excessive bending moment is applied to said heads. Inaddition, this manner of supporting the tank 1 distributes the loadevenly through the heads 2, 3 to the tank shell to assist in keepingsaid shell circular at the plane of loading. This increases the strengthof the cylindrical tank 1 and arelatively long tank may be supported asa beam by the structure of this invention without requiring any specialstructural supports such as collars or the like. It will also be notedthat axial thrust loads on inner tank 1 are carried generallytangentially of the cylindrical shell of said tank in order to preventundue deformation of said tank.

In the particular application of the support structure herein disclosedit is also important to reduce as'much as possible the heat leak fromthe outer jacket 4 to inner vessel '1. One method minimizing such heatleak through the support members is to provide relatively long supportmembers because the heat leak is proportioned to their length. Inpreviously used structures the support members have been extendedthrough the outer jacket to a separate frame to provide the requiredlength and have been separately jacketed. This not only complicates thefabrication at increased cost, but adds more welded joints as a sourceof possible leaks to reduce efi'ectiveness of the vacuum insulation.

By supporting the vessel of this invention on the heads, the structuralmembers 12, 13 may be extended to nearly half the diameter of the outerjacket, while remaining entirely within the normal bounds of the jacket.'On the members 17 18 that take the axial load, the'desired length caneasily be achieved without going outside the jacket shell. By thestructure of this invention, therefore, relatively long and yet simplyconstructed 'support'members may be used to reduce heat leak toa'miniinum without requiring unduly complex joints or connections.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, itis obvious that modifications couldbe made therein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. he horizontally extending jacketed vessel in which an innercylindrical vessel having opposed, convex heads is enclosed in an outercylindrical jacket providing an annular insulating space therebetween,structure. for supporting said vessel in said jacket, comprising: ateach said head, a radially extending vertical and transverse loadsupport member rigidly secured to said head centrally thereof andextending into supporting engagement with said jacket at at least twoperipherally spaced points thereon, and a pair of axial load supportelements rigidly secured to said member adjacent said points anddivergently extending into generally tangential securement with theperipheral wall of said vessel spaced from said head.

2. In a horizontally extending jacketed vessel in which an innercylindrical vessel having opposed, convex heads is enclosed in an outercylindrical jacket providing an annular insulating space therebetween,structure for supporting said vessel in said jacket, comprising: at eachsaid head, a radially extending vertical and transverse load supportmember rigidly secured to said head centrally thereof and extending intosupporting engagement with said jacket at at least two peripherallyspaced points thereon, and a pair of axial load support elements rigidlysecured to said member adjacent said points and vdivergently extendinginto generally tangential securement with the peripheral wall of saidvessel spaced from said head, said member at one head of said vesselbeing rigidly secured to said jacket at said points, and means at saidpoints at the other of said heads supporting said member for slidinglongitudinally of said jacket in response to longitudinal dimensionalchanges in said vessel.

3. In a horizontally extending jacketed vessel in which an innercylindrical vessel having opposed, convex heads is enclosed in an outercylindrical jacket providing an annular insulating space therebetween,structure for supporting said vessel in said jacket, comprising: at eachsaid head, a radially extending vertical and. transverse load supportmember rigidly secured to said head centrally thereof and extending intosupporting engagement with said jacket at at least two peripherallyspaced points thereon, and a pair of axial load support elements rigidlysecured to said member adjacent said points and divergently extendinginto generally tangential securement with the peripheral wall of saidvessel spaced from said head, said member at one head of said vesselbeing rigidly secured to said jacket at said points, and means at saidpoints at the other of said heads supporting said member for slidinglongitudinally of said jacket in response to longitudinal dimensionalchanges in said vessel, said means including a sliding shoe mounted onthe end of said member and in engagement with the wall of said jacket,and a guide rigidly secured to said jacket and embracing saidshoe forconstraining the same for movement in a direction longitudinally of saidjacket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,940,785 Boardman Dec. 26, 1933 1,970,571 Mummert Aug. 21, 19342,092,165 Kepler Sept. 7, 1937 2,567,164 Brehany et al Sept. 11, 19512,730,798 Larsen Jan. 17, 1956

